Khor Fakkan, UAE

Description — Khor Fakkan, UAE

Khor Fakkan is located in the east of the UAE on the coast of the Persian Gulf and is the largest city in the Emirate of Sharjah. The name “Khor Fakkan” (translated as “the bay of two jaws”) is due to its location in a magnificent bay sheltered by two mountainous headlands. Along the gulf stretches a long strip of sandy beach, and behind it is a promenade-a pleasant place for walks.

Khor Fakkan attracts tourists with its good beaches and the atmosphere of a small seaside town surrounded by mountains. Everything is set for diving here. There is only one hotel-Oceanic 4*-so there’s no “overcrowding” of vacationers either underwater or on land.

In Khor Fakkan, there is a local “Middle Eastern version” of the city of Kitezh: the Rifais Dam was built on the site of a village. When the reservoir surface is calm, you can make out the upper floors of buildings that ended up underwater.

Climate

The climate in Khor Fakkan is milder than along the Persian Gulf coast. The average summer air temperature is around +36 °C, and during the tourist season, which runs from September to May, it stays at fairly comfortable +24…+28 °C. Rainy days occur in February-March. The water in the Oman Gulf is always warm, not below +20 °C. The best time to travel to the United Arab Emirates is from the end of September to May.

Khor Fakkan, UAE
Al-Bidia Mosque
Central Market
City waterfront
Shark Island
Spend an hour on the beach
View of Al Fujairah (Hor Fakkan)
Hor-Fakkan Coast
City center

Location on the map

Sights

Al-Bidia Mosque

Although the exact date of the mosque’s construction is not known, it is considered the oldest in the United Arab Emirates. Some archaeological studies suggest that the Al-Bidiyah Mosque was built in 640 AD, while others place its construction in 1446 BC and indicate that it was used for other purposes before becoming a mosque.

In terms of architecture, the Al-Bidiyah Mosque is quite unique, as its engineering solutions were a breakthrough for its time. In particular, its roof with four domes stands out, supported by an interior column that divides the space into four squares of equal size.

Central Market

During a visit to Khor Fakkan, recognized as one of the best resorts in the United Arab Emirates, tourists prefer strolling along the Oman Gulf waterfront. This part of the city is literally teeming with walking areas and beaches, all kinds of cafes and restaurants, and scenic buildings.

One of such buildings is the city’s Central Market. Here you can find goods to suit every taste and color-fruits and vegetables, clothing, seafood, spices, a wide variety of souvenirs, and handcrafted items by local artisans. This is one of the best places to enjoy the local flavor.

City Promenade

This is one of the lovely places in the city, simply made for unhurried strolls and long conversations on charming benches.

What to see

Shark Island

Among divers in the emirate of Fujairah, Shark Island is very popular. An unforgettable night dive in the area of this island will bring a lot of positive emotions. The island was named because of its unusual shape, which resembles a shark fin. The clear water of the Gulf of Oman is rich in marine life and is very clean. Therefore, scuba divers will have the chance to see firsthand lobsters, rays, and small colorful exotic fish swimming among the corals. Here you can also spot octopuses and sea turtles.

Beach holiday

Khor Fakkan is a small town with a seaport, date palm trees, and delicious melons sold at every step. Khor Fakkan is also famous for its beaches with fine white sand that seems to go on forever. In the waters of the Gulf of Oman, tuna and sea bass are found-here you can go fishing, ride water skis, and go snorkeling.

Recommended excursions

Orientation tour of Al Fujairah (Hor Fakkan)

The resort town is famous for its original combination of modernity and ancient monuments. The excursion allows you to explore interesting places, architectural masterpieces, and monuments of the resort town, or to take a trip on the provided special transport to the Rifaïs Dam, where, even to this day, the remains of old buildings from an Arab village that once existed on this site can still be found at the bottom-though it was later flooded. Excursion cost: about 200 dirhams per person, including lunch.